Awesome Friends, Part 3

This post continues a series about "awesome friends."

You've met Lisa... my rock, who anchors me in Second Life.
You've met Hyang, my funny and mysterious good friend, the one who seems to rile me up with all her goofiness.

Now meet Alysa.

I met Alysa with the start of Blacklist. Hyang invited her to have a look around. I saw her tinkering with a build, gave her a group membership, and invited her to build something that could be a permanent part of Blacklist.

In addition to her building, it seems that she, herself, has become a permanent part of Blacklist.

Alysa is cute and quiet and shy, until you get to know her. Once you know her, she may remain cute... but she has a sharp tongue on her, and a quick, sarcastic wit. It was quite a shock, the first time I was skewered by that sharp tongue of hers. But then, I'm perfectly willing to duel, as I can have a sarcastic side, as well.

We've collaborated on a couple of building projects, now... I've worked as a model for her clothing in her store... we decorated the city for Halloween...but the work is play with a fun person to share it with.

We've done more than work, of course... we chat, go places, explore, and have a good time.

She's quickly become an awesome friend, here.

Happy Birthday, Alysa!

Niiiicceee Kitty.....

Sindy got a new kitty. Or... was it kitty's idea?

I wouldn't want to argue with this one.

:D

Under Construction II

There is new construction going on at Blacklist... underground.

This is more kit construction than anything, using Arcadia Asylum's awesome builds, we're installing subway and sewer tunnels. There will be a maze of underground tunnels, pipes and rooms to explore.

Tread carefully... the construction isn't finished. There could be holes that lead to... nowhere...

Windlight, revisited

I remember trying out Windlight the last time it was available, and being less than impressed. Sure, the atmospheric effects were cool, but my FPS took a dive. Most disheartening, though, was the harshness of light on an avatar's skin.

For those who spend thousands of Linden on skins and shapes, and clothes, etc... trying to look their best in Second Life, for whatever reason... the early version of Windlight was evil. There was no way for an avatar to look good, with existing skins. Everything was just harsh.

The new Windlight viewer is available. They have made many improvements to the graphical presentation... water is so real, you think you can reach out to it and touch it. Atmo is wonderful... control over the atmosphere is also nice.

I just had to go to Surfline Rezzable, strip off my clothes and go for a dip in the luscious water, under warm, blue skies.

The harshness of light on skin still needs a little work... but there is improvement.

Performance on my MacBook Pro leaves a bit to be desired, however. Low framerates, and slow rezzing were issues in my hour or so online with it. Bugs abound, it seems, as well. But, this is First Look. I imagine it will get better.

It *is* beautiful. Give it a look. Then go back to your regular viewer until its ready for prime-time.

It's been a long time...

It's been a while since my last post.

It was also, until recently, a while since I took a single day off of Second Life.

I had to travel for business. I realized, as I logged off the night before my trip, that the next few days would be my first absence from Second Life in over five months.

Five Months.

150 Days.

At least, two hours online every day for 150 days. Sometimes, as much as 12 hours.

Being away from Second Life, just for a couple of days, was liberating. I had known that immersion was taking its toll. I was taking things in my Second Life as seriously as I was taking things in my First Life. Don't get me wrong... I value my online friends... I really do. Second Life is more than a game, it is a social experience.. so you should value the people you meet there.. and you should appreciate the wonders of sharing of yourself with others from far-flung places. It truly is a wonderful "place" to be.

But there's no place like home.

A few days away, and the fog has lifted. But evil lurks in Blacklist. A Hellmouth has appeared in the city. Walk near it, and zombies spawn from it, and chase you down. They are merciless in their pursuit. The pic above shows Hyang and myself, taking a breath after a wave of attacks... standing at the ready for more. One thing we didn't anticipate, however: Zombie attacks apparently destabilize the sim. A prolonged attack can result in lag, disorientation, and, in some cases, crashing and relogging, fully armed, in a welcome area.. covered in blood.

You've been warned.